Identifying pathways to recent non-fatal overdose among people who use opioids non-medically: how do psychological pain and unmet mental health need contribute to overdose risk?

Original research
by
Tomko, Catherine et al

Release Date

2021

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Significant associations exist between psychological pain, unmet mental health need, and frequency and severity of substance use among people who use drugs (PWUD), but no studies have analyzed the relationship of these variables to non-fatal overdo

Findings/Key points

Unmet mental health need was associated with greater odds of experiencing a recent overdose. Gender played a significant role in the model, with female gender associated with daily psychological pain and unmet mental health need.

Design/methods

Cross-sectional survey of people who used opioids non-medically (N=563)
doi.org

Keywords

Overdose
About PWUD
Outcomes
Illegal drugs
Sex/Gender
Mental health